Gear shifting mechanism for motor vehicles



Feb. 4, 1941. v D L Y 2,230,780

GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed 0 ct. 17, 1936 3Sheets-Sheet l E. D. LASLEY R SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR MOTOR VEHICLESFiled Oct. 17, 1-936 Feb. 4, 1941.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 4, 1941. 4E. D. LAsLEY 2,230,780

GEAR S'HIFTING MECHANISM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Oct. 17, 1936 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES GEAR SHIFTINGMECHANISM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Edward D. Lasley, Detroit, Micln, assignorto Alltomatic Shifters, Inc.,

poration of Virginia Richmond, Va, a cor- Application October 17, 1936,Serial No. 106,215

12 Claims.

This invention relates to gear shifting mechanisms for motor vehicles.

Numerous types of fluid pressure devices have been proposed foreffecting the shifting of the gears in a motor vehicle transmission. Forexample, in the prior patent of Edward G. Hill and Henry W. Hey, No.2,030,838, granted February 11, 1936, there is shown and described amechanism which is particularly effective for this purpose. S-uchmechanism is very efficient in operation and provides an extremely rapidshifting operation;

Mechanisms of the character referred to are effective for shifting thegears of a so-called square transmission, that is, a transmission inwhich all of the movements of the shift rods take place to an equalextent regardless of the gear position selected for operation. In someforms of transmissions, second and high gears are provided withsynchronizing means, as is Well known, and in such a transmission,movements of the second and high gear shift rod are shorter than themovements of the low and reverse gear shift rod. The latter shift rod isrequired to slide gears into and out of mesh, whereas the gearscontrolled by the second and high gear shift rod are in constant meshand are controlled by synchronizing clutches.

In most shifting mechanisms, the difference in the distances of travelof the shift rods is of no importance. However, in the structure of theHill and Hey patent referred to, one of the features of such mechanismis the vacuum suspending of the piston of the shifting motor in eachgear position. This presents a problem of operation when the apparatusis used in connection with synchronizing transmissions of the characterreferred to. The operation of such a transmission is taken care of withthe system of the patent. referred to by using in conjunction therewithan auxiliary control valve which forms the subject matter of thecopending application of Henry W. Hey, Serial No. 104,139, filed October10, 1936. a

An important object of the present invention is to provide a vacuumoperated gear shifting mechanism having novel means for transmittingmovement to the shift rods in such a manner as to compensate for thedifferences in the distances of movement of the shift rods, thusfacilitating the vacuum suspension of the piston in its gear positions.

A further object is to provide novel means for transmitting movementfrom the piston or other pressure movable member of the shifting motorto the shift rods to compensate for difierence in the distances ofmovement of such rods whereby a valve which controls vacuum suspensionof the piston is moved the same distance for each gear position, thusfacilitating the vacuum suspension 5 of the piston.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred towherein a lever is employed for transmitting movement to thetransmission shift rods, and wherein the effective 10 lever'lengths ofthe lever are changed, depending upon the shift rod being actuated, topermit the valve referred to to move the same distance regardless of theselected gear, for the reason stated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown several embodiments of the invention. Inthis showing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shifting mechanism shown inconnection with a portion of a motor vehicle transmission, parts beingshown in section,

Figure 2 is a detail section on line Figure 1,

Figure 3' is a horizontal sectionalview through the upper portion of thetransmission showing one form of the invention applied,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the shift rods and elementsassociated therewith, one of the elements being shown separated from itsassociated shift rod,

Figure 6 is a plan view of the shifting motor, shift rods and associatedelements, showing a modified form of the invention,

Figure 7 is a similar view showing another modification of theinvention,

Figure 8 is a similar view of a further form of the invention, and,

Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of the form of lever employed withthe mechanisms of Figures 6, 7 and 8.

Referring to Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, the numeral I0 designates a motorvehicle transmission as a whole having a pair of longitudinallyshiftable rods II and I2 through which different gear positions areselected, these shift rods being provided with the usual depending forks(not shown) for efiecting the shifting action. In the form oftransmission in connection with which the present invention is adaptedto be employed, the shift rod H is movable to select first and reversegears, while the shift rod I2 is operable modified 40 for selectingsecond and high gears, the latter gears being provided withsynchronizing means which are operable while the gears remain inconstant mesh. The operation of the shift rod moves its associated gearsinto and out of mesh, and accordingly the shift rod partakes of greaterlongitudinal movement into its gear positions than is true of the shiftrod l2.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5, it will be noted that the shift rod I2is provided on its upper face with a boss or lug l4 having a recess H3in the side thereof which faces away from the shift rod The latter shiftrod is provided with a plate l6 having a depressed foot portion H at oneside thereof which is secured in any suitable manner to the shift rod Asshown in Figure 4, the foot I1 is riveted as at H! and welded as at |9to the shift rod and accordingly is rigid therewith. The plate l6overlies the lug l4 and is provided with a longitudinal slot 29 having alaterally offset notch 2| facing in the opposite direction to theopening of the notch l5.

A lever 22 is adapted to effect the shifting of the rods H and I2, andthis lever is preferably supported by the cover 23 of the transmission.Referring to Figures 3 and 4 it will be noted that the lever 22 has itsinner end extending through a cylindrical rocking member 24 mounted inthe side wall of the cover 23 to rock on a vertical axis, suitablepacking 25 being provided to prevent the leakage of lubricant around therocking member 24. The lever'22 is adapted to rock on the axis of themember 24 and is also longitudinally slidable therein, the rockingmember being provided with packing 26 for the same purpose as thepacking 25. It will be noted that the recess in which the rocking member24 is arranged is cylindrical and is closed at the top by a threaded cap21, as shown in Figure 4. Suitable packing 28 also may be arranged aboveand below the rocker 24 to prevent the escape of lubricant from thetransmission.

The inner end of the lever 22 is provided with a depending lug 29 whichmay be formed integral with the lever 22 or threaded thereinto as at 30.Upon longitudinal sliding movement of the lever 22 through the rocker24, the lug 29 may be selectively engaged in the notches l5 and 2|. InFigure 4 of the drawings the lug 29 is shown engaged in the notch 2|,being completely disengaged from the notch t5, whereby rocking movementof the lever 22 will effect shifting movement of the rod When the partsof the apparatus are in neutral position, the lever 22 is adapted toslide to the right as viewed in Figures 3 and 4 to arrange the lug 29 inthe notch l5, whereupon rocking movement of the lever 22 will effectmovement of the shift rod l2.

A fluid pressure motor indicated as a whole by the numeral 3| is adaptedto swing the lever 22 about its vertical pivot axis. Thismotor-comprises a cylinder 32 having a piston 33 reciprocable thereinand provided with a piston rod 34 pivotally connected at its free end tothe lever 22, as at 35. For installation reasons, the cylinder 32 isangularlyarranged outwardly of the transmission, as shown in Figure'3,and the outer end of the lever 22 is preferably angularly arranged soasto be disposed at an angle of 90 degrees to the piston rod 34 when thetransmission is in neutral position. This arrangement is employed inorder that the angle between the outer end of the lever 22 and thepiston rod 34 will be equal in different gear positions, as will beobvious.

It will be apparent that energizing the motor 3| will effect movement ofeither rod II or l2, depending upon which rod has been selected foroperation, and a crossover motor is employed for selecting the shiftrods for operation. The crossover motor is shown in Figures 1 and 3 andis indicated as a whole by the numeral 36. This motor comprises an innercasing 31 having a flange 38 attached to the side of the transmission byscrews 39. The crossover motor also comprises an outer casing 40 securedto the casing 31 by screws 4| with a flexible diaphragm 42 clampedbetween the two casings.

The diaphragm 42 is provided with a shaft 43 which is reciprocable in abearing 44 forming a part of the casing 31. A spring 45 biases thediaphragm 42 toward the left as viewed in Figure 3, and a pipe 46,controlled in a manner to be described, is adapted to connect theinterior of the casing 40 to a source of vacuum to effect movement ofthe diaphragm 42 toward the right as viewed in Figure 3. The casing 31is vented to the atmosphere as at 41 to set up differential pressure onopposite sides of the diaphragm 42 to effect the movement referred to,when the pipe 46 is connected to a source of vacuum.

A crossover lever 48 is arranged within the cover 23 and is pivotallysupported by a pivot pin 49 projecting through a lug 50 carried by thecover plate 23. One end of the lever 48 is provided with a reducedrounded end 5| operating in a slot 52 formed in the inner end of theshaft 43. The other end of the lever 48 is provided with an arcuate slot53 receiving an upstanding pin 54 carried by the lever 22. The slot 53is approximately concentric with the axis of the rocking member 24 whenthe gears are arranged in neutral, as shown in Figure 3. It will beapparent that rocking movement of the lever 48 is adapted to slide thelever 22 to arrange the lug 29 in either of the notches l5, and that theslot 53 permits the rocking of the lever 22 for transmitting movement tothe selected shift rod.

Control valve devices are employed for controllin the operation of themotors 3| and 36, and such devices may be of the type disclosed in theprior Patent No. 2,030,838 referred to above. The main control valvemechanism is indicated as a whole by the numeral 55, and this valvemechanism is connected to the intake manifold of the vehicle enginethrough a'pipe 56, and to the atmosphere through a pipe 51, preferablyhaving an air cleaner 58 connected thereto. The mechanism 55 includes apair of valves (not shown) which are operative for connecting the endsof the cylinder 32 to the intake manifold or the atmosphere throughpipes 59 and 60. The valves which control these pipes are, in turn,controlled in accordance with the admission of air into a pair of pipes6| and 62 respectively. The mechanism 55 is further provided with athird valve, (not shown) which controls the connection of the crossovermotor casing 40 to the atmosphere or the intake manifold through thepipe 46, previously described. The third valve of the mechanism 55 iscontrolled in turn, in accordance with the admission of air into a pipe63 leading to the mechanism 55. v The pipes 6| and 62 lead to theauxiliary valve device indicated as a whole by the numeral 64. Thisdevice comprises a tubular valve casing 65 in which is arranged a valve66 provided adjacent its opposite ends with grooves 61 and 68respectively. The valve 66 is actuated by a stem 69, the free end ofwhich is connected to the outer end of the lever 22, as shown in Figure1.

The valve casing 65 is provided with a pair of integral transverseextensions 10 and H having passages 12 and 13 therethrough connected tothe respective pipes GI and 62. The bottom of the valve casing 65 isprovided with atmospheric ports 14 and 15 arranged in the respectivevertical planes of the passages 12 and 13. It will become apparent thatin one set of gear positions, the groove 61 registers with and affordscommunication between the passage 12 and port 15 in the other Pipes 16and 11 are connected to the other ends of the respective valve casingvextensions 10 and 1| in communication with the respective passages 12and 13. the pipes 63, 16 and 11 is con rolled by a selector valvemechanism indicated as a whole by the numeral 18. This selector valvemechanism is completely disclosed in Patent No. 2,030,838, re ferred toabove. The selector valve per se comprises a valve casing 19 having apair of pasadapted to be selectively opened to the atmosphere upon therocking of a valve 38. This valve is mounted on a shaft 8I which rocksto transmit turning movement to the valve 85. The shaft 8i is alsoadapted to slide longitudinally toward the left as viewed in Figure 1 toopen the pipe 63 to the atmosphere through suitable passages of thevalve casing 19. The shaft BI is provided with an operating handle 82operated in an H-slot 83 formed in the arcuate upper face of a segmentalhousing 84.

In the form of the invention previously olescribed, the lever 22 isadapted to partake of both rocking and sliding movement, and in Figures6, 7 and 8 of the drawings, modifications of the apparatus are shown inwhich the shifting lever rocks on a fixed vertical axis withoutpartaking of any sliding movement. Referring to Figure 6, the numeral 85designates the first and reverse gear shift rod, and the numeral 86designates the second and high gear shift rod. These rods arerespectively provided with upstanding lugs 81 and 88 engageable innotches 89 and 90, respectively, formed in opposite edges of a crossoverlever 9|. These notches are formed adjacent one end of the lever 9|, andthe opposite end of this lever is connected as at 92 to the shaft 93 ofa suitable crossover motor, such as the motor 36 previously described.

Intermediate its ends, the lever ii! is further provided in its oppositeedges with notches 94 and 95, respectively engageable with lugs 96 and91 carried by a shifting lever 98. This lever partakes of rockingmovement about a fixed vertical pivot 99. The shifting motor for thelever 98 may correspond to the motor 3!, and is shown as comprising acylinder H311 having a reciprocable piston I BI therein provided with apiston rod I82 pivotally connected at its outer end as at I 533 to thefree end of the lever 98.

It will be apparent that if the crossover motor 36 is used in the formshown in Figure 3, the shaft 93 in Figure 6 will be biased downwardly asviewed in such figure, in which case the first and reverse shift rod 85will be biased for actuation. This obviously reverses the relativepositions of the selector handle 82 with respect to conventionalpractice. Obviously, the operation of the apparatus is not interferedwith in any Way under such conditions, and conventional crossover lever.

shifting may be provided by either of a number of simple expedients. Forexample, the crossover motor may be changed over to the other side ofthe transmission, or the biasing spring and pipe 46 may be changed overto the motor casing 31 with the casing 40 vented to the atmosphere.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 7 may be used where therelative positions of the shift rods are reversed. In this form of theinvention, the first and reverse gear shift rod is indicated by thenumeral I04 and a second and high gear shift rod is indicated by thenumeral I05. These rods are respectively provided with lugs I66 and I01which are respectively engageable in notches I 08 and I E39 formed inopposite edges of a crossover lever I I0. The notches I 68 andiflfl areformed adjacent one end of the The other end of this lever is providedwith crossover means as in the previous forms of the. invention, thelever being pivotally connected as at 92 to the shaft 93 of a crossovermotor which may be identical with the motor 35.

Instead of being provided with notches in its edges corresponding to thenotches 94 and 95, the lever H0 is provided with a relatively largeopening I I3 intermediate its ends, and this opening is provided inopposite edges with notches IM and 5 respectively. The shift lever andassociated parts may be the same as in the form of the invention shownin Figure 6, and such parts have been indicated by the same referencenumerals. It will be apparent that the notches II 4 and H5 arerespectively engageable with the lugs 96and 91 of the shifting lever 98.

In the formv of the invention shown in Figure 8 most of the parts areidentical in construction with the corresponding parts in Figure 6 andhave been indicated by the same reference numerals. In Figure 8,however, a different crossover lever structure has been employed, andsuch lever has been indicated by the numeral H6. The lever II6 isrelatively wide at one end and is provided with a pair of openings IE1and II 8. The opening II1 is provided in opposite edges with notches II9 and I29 respectively engageable with lugs 81 and 88 of the shift rod.The opening H8 is provided in opposite edges with notches I 2| and I22respectively engageable with the lugs 96 and 91 of the shift lever 98.The crossover motor employed with the device shown in Figure 8 may beidentical with the motor 36. As previously stated, the same shiftinglever may be used with the forms of the invention shown in Figures 6, '7and 8, and such lever is illustrated in perspective in Figure 9. It alsowill be apparent that the shifting motors of all of the modified formsof the invention are the same as the shifting motor SI and the cylindersof these motors will be provided with pipes corresponding to the pipesand 6!].

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5inclusive is as follows:

So far as the controlling of the various parts of the apparatus isconcerned, the mechanism functions in accordance with the disclosure ofthe Hill and Hey Patent No. 2,030,838, referred to above. When low gearis to be selected for operation, the selector handle 82 is moved towardthe left and then rearwardly in the H-slot The movement of the handle 82to the left slides the shaft 81 and opens the ports which connect thepipe 63 to the atmosphere. One of the valves of the mechanism 55 is thusactuated and connects the pipe 46 and the crossover motor casactuatingthe valve which controls the pipe ing 40 to the intake manifold, thusestablishin differential pressure on opposite sides of the diaphragm 42(Figure 3) to move this diaphragm to the right. This action swings thecrossover motor 48 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure3, thus sliding the inner end of the lever 22 toward the left. Thus thelug 29 of the shift lever will be moved into engagement with the notch2|, and it will be noted that this notch is formed in the plate 16 whichis connected to the low and reverse gear shift rod ll.

Rearward movement of the handle 82 to the low gear position rocks thevalve 80 to admit air into the pipe 11 while retaining the pipe 16closed tothe atmosphere. The air admitted into the pipe 11 flows throughthe passage 13 (Figure 2) and pipe 62 into the valve mechanism 55, thus60. Under the conditions referred to, the pipe 66 will be connected tothe intake manifold while the pipe 59 remains in communication with theatmosphere, thus connecting the rear or left hand end of the cylinder 32(Figure 1) to the intake manifold while retaining the connection of theright hand or forward end of the cylinder 32 with the atmosphere.

Thus the piston 33 will move rearwardly or to the left as viewed inFigure 1, thus swinging the outer end of the lever 22 rearwardly, andthe inner end of this lever forwardly, and forward movement accordinglywill be transmitted to the shift rod H to place the gear set in lowgear. It will be apparent that reverse gear may be selected by movingthe selector handle 82 to the left and forwardly, under which conditionsthe crossover motor will be controlled in the same manner as for lowgear. However, air will be admitted into the pipe 16 by the selectorvalve 80, instead of into the pipe 11, and the forward or right hand endof the cylinder 31, as viewed in Figure 1, will be connected to theintake manifold to shift the rod H rearwardly.

Second gear may be selected by moving the handle 82 to the right andforwardly in which case the pipe 63 will be cut off from the atmosphereby the shaft 81, and the corresponding valve of the mechanism 55 willopen the pipe 46 to the atmosphere to balance pressures on oppositesides of the diaphragm 42 (Figure 3) The spring 45 will then move thediaphragm 42 to its biased position, thus swinging the lever 48 in acounter-clockwise direction. This operation, through the slot 53 and pin54, slides the lever 22 to the right to engage the lug 29 in the notchl5. Thus the second and high gear shift rod l2 will be selected foroperation, it being apparent from Figure 5 that the notch 15 is formedin the lug l4 carried by the shift rod l2.

Forward movement of the selector handle 82 admits air into the pipe 16,and this air flows through passage 12 (Figure 2) and pipe 6| to operateone of the valves of the mechanism 55 and connect the pipe 59 to theintake manifold. At the same time the pipe 60 will remain incommunication with the atmosphere, and the piston 33 will moveforwardly, or to the right as viewed in Figure 1. Forward movement ofthe piston 33 transmits similar movement to the outer end of the lever22, and the inner end of this lever moves rearwardly whereby the lug 29transmits rearward movement to the shift rod l2 to place the gear set insecond gear. The operation for placing the gear set in high gear iscarried out in a similar manner, the selector handle 82 being moved tothe right and rearwardly, thus opening the pipe 11, passage 13 and pipe62 to the atmosphere. The rear end of the cylinder 3| thus will beconnected to the intake manifold and the piston 33 will move rearwardlyto transmit forward movement to the shift rod l2.

The general operation referred to corresponds tothe operation of themechanism disclosed in Patent No. 2,030,838, except for the specificlever means for transmitting movement from the motors 3| and 36 toselect and shift the desired shift rods. In accordance with thedisclosure of the patent referred to, it is highly desirable when thepiston 33 is moved to one end of the cylinder to effect the shift to agiven gear position, that the opposite end of the cylinder 32 beconnected to the source of vacuum to vacuum suspen the piston. Thisoperation is highly desirable since the next operation of the piston maytake place by admitting air into one end of the cylinder while retainingthe other end in communication with the source of vacuum, the operationunder such conditions being carried out with extreme rapidity. Thisoperation is provided in the patent referred to, but the mechanism ofthe patent is designed for use in connection with a so-called squaretransmission wherein the different movements of the two shift rods areequal. Therefore, the piston of the shifting motor may be vacuumsuspended after moving a given distance in either direction from neutralposition. With a transmission of the type employing synchronizing meansin connection with second and high gears, the shift rods move differentdistances and such different distances of travel must be compensated forin order to'provide the feature of vacuum suspension referred to.

In the structure of the patent, one end of the cylinder of the shiftingmotor is connected to the intake manifold by opening to the atmosphereone or the other of a pair of pipes corresponding to the pipes 16 or 11,and when a gear position is reached, the other end of the cylinder isconnected to the intake manifold by connecting to the atmosphere one orthe other of a pair of passages corresponding to the passages 12 and 13of the auxiliary valve device 64. As stated, such operation is whollypracticable for use in connection with square transmissions.

In transmissions having synchronizing means associated with second andhigh gears, a valve in an apparatus of this character corresponding tothe valve 66 ordinarily moves different distances according to thedistance of travel of the shift rod being actuated. In the copendingapplication of Henry W. Hey, Serial No. 104,139, filed October 10, 1936,there is disclosed an auxiliary valve similar to the valve 64, which isoperative for effecting vacuum suspension of the piston of the shiftingmotor with synchronizing transmissions of the character referred to. Thepresent invention is designed to accomplish the same result by changingthe effective shifting leverages in accordance with the shift rod beingactuated, so that the outer end of the lever 22 will swing through thesame arcuate path regardless of the gear ratio being selected.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5, it will be noted that in asynchronizing transmission of the character referred to, greaterdistance that the shift rod l2, the former being required to move asufiicient distance to mesh and unmesh certain gears, the latter beingrequired to move a shorter distance to render the shift rod ll moves aoperative the synchronizing means associated with second and high gears,It also will be noted that the notch 2|, through which motion istransmitted to the shift rod I I, is located a longer distance from theaxis of the .rocker 24 than the notch l5, through which motion istransmitted to the shift rod l2. The lug 29 is fixed to the inner end ofthe lever, but the eifective lever lengths of the ends of this lever onsliding movement of the lever incident to operation of the crossovermotor. When the lug 29 is moved into engagement wi h the notch 2|, thelength of the inner end of the lever 22 is increased, While the lengthof the outer end of this lever is decreased. Conversely, when the lug 29is moved into engagement with the notch l5, the lengths of the inner andouter ends of the lever 22 are respectively decreased and increased.

Accordingly it will be apparent that for approximately a given swingingmovement of the outer end of the lever 22, the shift rod II will bemoved a greater distance than the shift rod l2. By embodying thefeatures of the structure shown, therefore, the operating mechanismreadily may be designed so that the point on the outer end of the lever22 at which the valve 66 is connected thereto travels exactly the samedistance when shifting into the different gear ratios. Similarly, byproperly designing the parts of the device, the point of connection ofthe valve operating rod 69 to: the lever 22 may be made at a. pointadjacent the pivotal connection 35, in which case the piston 33 willmove approximately the same distance for any selected gear ratio. Whenany gear position 33 is reached, therefore, one or the other of thegrooves 61 or 68 will admit air into its associated passage 12 or 13through the corresponding port 14 or 15. This operation provides vacuumsuspension of the piston 33. Thus the present apparatus provides all ofthe advantages of the structure of the patent referred to, and renderssuch structure applicable to transmissions wherein the shift rods traveldifferent distances.

The operation of the forms of the invention shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8are similar in principle to the form previously described. The principaldistinction between the two types of lever mechanisms lies in the factthat in the form previously described a shift lever partakes of bodilymovement to effect the change in the lever lengths, whereas in the formsof the invention shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, the shift lever turnsabout a fixed axis and has its effective lever lengths controlled by theshifting of the respective crossover levers 9|, H9 and H6.

In Figure 6 of the drawings it will be apparent that when the crossovermotor associated with the shaft 93 operates to move this shaft upwardly,the lever 9| will be rocked to move the notch 95 into engagement withthe lever lug 91, and to bring the notch 96 into engagement with the lug88. The lug 91 thus transmits movement to the shift rod 86, uponactuation of the piston l (H of the shift motor. According to thedirection of movement of this piston, therefore, the gear set will beplaced in second or high gear. Opposite movement of the crossover motormoves the notch 94 into engagement with the lug 96 while the notch 89will be swung into engagement with the lug 81. Actuation of the shiftmotor will then transmit movement to the first and reverse gear shiftrod 65 depending upon the direction of movement of the piston I9l. Sincethe lug 96 is materially further from the axis 99 of the shifting leverthan the lug 91, it will be apparent that a given swinging movement ofthe outer end of the shift lever will move the shin; rod a greaterdistance than is true when transmitted to the shift rod 86. By locatingthe lugs 96 and 91 at the proper points with respect to the pivot axis99, the necessary movement may be transmitted to provide a relativelylong movement of the shift rod 85 and a shorter movement to the shiftrod 86, with same distance in any case. suspension of the piston of theshifting motor is facilitated.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 7 is provided fortransmissions in which the relative positions of the two shift rods arereversed. For example, if the shift rod I94 is the first and reversegear shift rod, it is necessary for a transmission of the characterreferred to to move this shift rod to a greater extent than the secondand high gear shift rod I05. Upon upward movement of the crossover motorshaft 93, the notch H4 will be moved into engagement with the lug 96,while the lug I68 will be moved into engagement with the lug I96. Thenotches at the same side of the crossover lever thus will be effectivefor transmitting the shifting action upon movement of the piston llll.Similarly, when the shaft 93 moves downwardly the notches H5 and i6!will be brought into engagement with the respective lugs 91 and I69which arrangement selects the shift rod I05 for actuation. Since the lug97 is closer to the axis 99 than the lug 96, movement of the piston IOIto move the valve 66 a given distance transmits a shorter motion to theshift rod I95 than to the shift rod I64, and the parts are designed sothat the piston llll moves to effect the proper shifting of either shiftrod while moving the valve 66 the same distance in opposite directionsfrom its neutral position.

For structural reasons the form of the invenbe adopted in place of theform shown in Figure 6, the functioning of the two devices beinggenerally similar. ward movement of the shaft 93 brings the lugs 6-1 and96 into engagement with the respective notches H9 and IZI, whereuponoperation of the shifting motor actuates the first and reverse gearshift rod85. Similarly, downward movement of the shaft 93 brings thelugs 88 and 91 into engagement with the respective notches I29 and I22,whereupon actuation of the shifting motor transmits movement to thesecond and high gear shift rod 86. Such operation obviously is the fullequivalent of the operation of the form of the invention shown in Figure6, and it will be apparent that with the valve 66 and rod 69 moving thesame distance from the neutral intermediate position, the desiredmovement of the shift rods may be effected, the lug 9'! being closer tothe pivot axis 99 than the lug 96 to transmit shorter movements to theshift rod 86 than to the rod 85.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present inventioncontemplates the provision of mechanical means for compensating fordifferences in the distances of travel of the shift rods of atransmission in which only one ofthe shift rods controls gears which areprovided with synchronizing means, thus permitting the shifting motor tomove the shift rods to cause the latterto move different distances,while effecting equal movements of the control device -or valve whichprovides the vacuum suspension of the motor piston. Thus the vacuumsuspension of the piston in either of its gear positions is provided.

, movable be taken as preferred examples of the same and that variouschanges in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of thesubjoined claims.

I claim:

1. Gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle transmission havingshifting members movable different distances to provide different gearratios, means connectible with said shifting members for selectivelyactuating said shifting members, means including a motor rendering saidactuating means operative for moving said shifting members differentdistances in accordance with the distances of travel of said shiftingmembers necessary to provide the different gear ratios, and a controldevice connected to control energization of said motor and connected tosaid actuating means tobe moved thereby the same distance regardless ofthe distance of travel of the shifting member selected for actuation.

2. Gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle transmission havingshifting members movable different distances to provide different gearratios, means arranged for selecting said members for actuation, meansincluding a motor for actuating the selected shifting member, saidselecting means controlling said actuating means to cause the latter tomove said shifting members different distances in accordance with thedistances necessary for said shifting members to move to provide thegear ratios controlled thereby, and a control device connected tocontrol energization of said motor and movable by said actuating meansthe same distance regardless of the distance of travel of the shiftingmembers selected for actuation.

3. Gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle transmission havingshifting members different distances to provide different gear ratios, alever connectible with said shifting members for selectively actuatingsaid shifting members, means for varying the move ment transmitted fromsaid lever to said shifting members to move the latter differentdistances in accordance with the distance of travel necessary to providedifferent gear ratios, a motor connected to said lever, and a controldevice connected to control said motor and connected to said lever to bemoved thereby the same distance regardless of the distance of travel ofthe selected shifting member.

4. Gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle transmission havingshifting members movable different distances to provide different gearratios, means arranged for selecting said members for actuation, a leverfor actuating the selected shifting member, said selecting means beingoperable for controlling the transmission of movement from said lever tosaid shifting members to move the latter different distances inaccordance with the distance of travel necessary to provide differentgear ratios, said lever having one point in its length movable the samedistance regardless of the distance of travel of the selected shiftingmember, a motor connected to said lever, and a control device connectedto control said motor and having a movable member connected to saidlever at said point.

5. Gear shifting hicle transmission mechanism for a motor vehavingshifting members distances to provide diflever pivoted intermediatemovable different ferent gear ratios, a

its ends and having one end operative for selectively actuating saidshifting members, means for varying the movement transmitted from saidend of said lever to said shifting members in accordance with thedistance of travel of said shifting members necessary to providedifferent gear ratios, power means for operating the other end of saidlever, the last named end of said lever having a point therein movablethe same distance regardless of the distance of travel of the selectedshifting member, and a control device for said power means operable bysaid lever and connected to said lever at said point.

6. Gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle transmission havingshifting members movable different distances to provide different gearratios, a lever mounted for bodily movement and for swinging movementabout a fixed axis, selecting means operable for bodily moving saidlever to engage one end thereof with either of said shifting members andoperable for changing the effective length of said end of said lever inaccordance with the shifting member selected for actuation, power meansconnected to the other end of said lever for swinging the latter aboutsaid axis, the last named end of said lever having a point thereinmovable the same distance regardless of the distance of movement of theselected shifting member, and a control device for said power meansconnected to said lever at said point.

'7. Gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle transmission havingshifting members movable different distances to provide different gearratios, a lever mounted for swinging movement about a fixed axis andlongitudinally movable with respect to such axis, said shifting membershaving recesses engageable by one end of said lever, the recess of theshifting member which is movable the greater distance being closer tosaid pivot axis than the other recess, means for moving said leverlongitudinally to engage said end thereof in either of said recesses,power means connected to the other end of said lever to swing it aboutsaid axis, the last named end of said lever having a point thereinmovable the same distance regardless of the distance of travel of theselected shifting member, and a control device for said power meansconnected to said lever at said point.

8. Gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicle transmission havingshifting members movable different distances to provide different gearratios, a pivoted lever, a floating lever engageable with the respectiveshift rods and with said first named lever at points arrangedrespectively difierent distances from the pivot point thereof, means foractuating said floating lever to move it to either of two operativepositions engaging said first named lever and one of said shift rods totransmit movement to the latter through the distance of travel necessaryto provide the gear ratios controlled thereby, power means for actuatingsaid first named lever, such lever having a point therein movable thesame distance regardless of the shifting member selected for actuation,and a control device for said power means connected to said lever atsaid point.

9. Gear shifting mechanism for a motor vehicletransmission havingshifting members movable different distances to provide different gearratios, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends, a floating lever havingportions respectively engageable with said shift rods, said levers beingver having a pair of lugs spaced different disprovided withinterengaging lugs and recesses tances from the pivot thereof, afloating lever whereby swinging movement of said first named havingrecesses selectively engageable with said lever transmits movement tosaid shift rods, the lever lugs and being further provided with a pairpoints of engagement between said levers being of recessses respectivelyengageable with the lugs 5 arranged different distances from the pivotof of said shifting members, means for moving said said first namedlever to vary the effective length floating lever to engage one of saidfirst named of the latter in accordance with the distance of recesseswith the lever lug closer to the pivot travel of the selected shift rod,power means conof said first named lever with one of said last 10 nectedto the other end of said first named lenamed recesses engaging the lugof the shifting 1Q ver, such lever having a point therein movable memberwhich moves the greater distance, power the same distance regardless ofthe distance of means for operating said first named lever, said travelof the selected shift rod, and a control first named lever having apoint therein movable device for said power means connected to said thesame distance regardless of the distance of first named lever at saidpoint. movement of the selected shift member, and a 15 10. Gear shiftingmechanism for a motor vecontrol device connected to said lever at saidhicle transmission having shifting members movpoint. able difierentdistances to provide difierent gear 12. Gear shifting mechanism for amotor veratios and each provided with a lug, a pivoted hicletransmission having shifting members movlever having a pair of lugsspaced different disable different distances to provide difierent gear20 tances from the pivot thereof, a floating lever ratios, a lever forselectively actuating said shifthaving recesses selectively engageablewith said ing members, said lever having a point therein lever lugs andbeing further provided with a pair movable the same distance regardlessof the of recesses respectively engageable with the lugs difierence oftravel of the selected shifting mem- 2 of said shifting members, meansfor moving said her, a diiferential pressure motor having a movfloatinglever to engage one of said first named able member connected to saidlever, means for recesses with the lever lug closer to the pivotconnecting one end of said motor to a source of of said first namedlever with one of said last pressure differential, and an auxiliaryvalve for named recesses engaging the lug of the shifting connecting theother end of said motor to said member which moves the greater distance,and source, said auxiliary valve being connected to 3 power means foroperating said first name-d lesaid lever at said point to connect theother end ver. of said motor to said source when the selected 11. Gearshifting mechanism for a motor veshiftime, member reaches a gearposition regardhicle transmission having shifting members movless of thedistance of travel of such shifting able different distances to providediiferent gear member. I 35 ratios and each provided with a lug, apivoted le- EDWARD D. LASLEY.

